Schistosomiasis and HIV-1 infection in rural Zimbabwe: effect of treatment of schistosomiasis on CD4 cell count and plasma HIV-1 RNA load

J Infect Dis. 2005 Dec 1;192(11):1956-61. doi: 10.1086/497696. Epub 2005 Oct 20.

Abstract

To determine whether treatment of schistosomiasis has an effect on the course of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, individuals with schistosomiasis and with or without HIV-1 infection were randomized to receive praziquantel treatment at inclusion or after a delay of 3 months; 287 participants were included in the study, and 227 (79%) were followed up. Among the 130 participants who were coinfected, those who received early treatment (n=64) had a significantly lower increase in plasma HIV-1 RNA load than did those who received delayed treatment (n=66) (P<.05); this difference was associated with no change in plasma HIV-1 RNA load in the early intervention group (P=.99) and an increase in plasma HIV-1 RNA load in the delayed intervention group (P<.01). Among the 227 participants who were followed up, those who received early treatment (n=105) had an increase in CD4 cell count, whereas those who received delayed treatment (n=122) did not (P<.05); this effect did not differ between participants when stratified by HIV-1 infection status (P=.17). The present study suggests that treatment of schistosomiasis can reduce the rate of viral replication and increase CD4 cell count in the coinfected host.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anthelmintics / administration & dosage
  • Anthelmintics / pharmacology
  • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use*
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1 / drug effects
  • HIV-1 / isolation & purification
  • HIV-1 / physiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Praziquantel / administration & dosage
  • Praziquantel / pharmacology
  • Praziquantel / therapeutic use*
  • RNA, Viral / blood*
  • RNA, Viral / drug effects
  • Rural Population
  • Schistosomiasis / complications*
  • Schistosomiasis / drug therapy*
  • Schistosomiasis / immunology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Viral Load
  • Zimbabwe

Substances

  • Anthelmintics
  • RNA, Viral
  • Praziquantel